Coyote that attacked 2 in North Attleboro was rabid

Wednesday

State wildlife officials on Wednesday said a coyote that attacked two people in North Attleboro was rabid.

A woman was bitten on the leg by the coyote and two police officers shot and killed it. It's unclear who the second victim was.

Since 1950, this was only the 8th and 9th confirmed coyote attack on people in Massachusetts. Of the seven prior attacks, two coyotes were confirmed as rabid and three others were suspected as rabid, but the animals could not be captured for testing.

The last coyote attack on a person was in Kingston in 2015.

Officials urge the public to report any odd animal behavior to local authorities and to take specific steps to avoid contact with coyotes which are found statewide.

Coyotes tend to be shy and are usually frightened away by loud noises.

The rabies virus is spread among mammals by saliva from mammal to mammal. People who have been bitten or scratched by a potentially rabid animal should contact their health care provider. In most cases, immediate treatment for rabies exposure is necessary.

If a pet has been attacked, owners should contact their veterinarian for advice.